L–r: Teachers Peter Reibold, Erika Hattler, Carole McConkey, Mildred Robinson, Mary Brown, and Kathleen Garnett learn about the greenhouse industry at Baucom’s Nursery during the 2005 SC Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom Institute.

Six Richland County teachers are ready to start the school year with a greater appreciation for agriculture and are better equipped to teach their students about the sources of their food, fiber, and forestry products.

Mary Brown, Kathleen Garnett, Erika Hattler, and Carole McConkey, all of St. Peter’s Catholic School, Peter Reibold of Cardinal Newman High School, and Mildred Robinson of VV Reid Elementary School, recently completed an intensive week of study at the annual SC Farm Bureau Federation’s (SCFB) Ag in the Classroom Institute in Santee, SC. The teachers also received three hours of graduate credit (good toward their teacher re–certification) from Clemson University.

SCFB President David Winkles said, “We’re counting on our state’s teachers to help us educate young consumers about the value of agriculture. Most kids today think that food comes from the grocery store and that clothes come from the mall. If agriculture is to maintain its status as the second largest industry in SC – providing more than 450,000 jobs – we’ve got to help people understand the link between their food, fiber, shelter, and the farm. Ag in the Classroom is a tool to help us accomplish that goal.”

Teachers heard from agriculture and education experts about topics like poultry embryology, fertilizers and integrated pest management, and student learning styles. During tours of local farms and agribusinesses, teachers saw dairy cows at Weathers dairy farm, viewed the cotton gin and plastic covered cotton bales at Cameron Cotton & Seed Company, watched produce and groceries being ordered and shipped to stores at the Food Lion distribution warehouse, and learned about plant propagation at Baucom’s Nursery Company.

2005 Institute sponsors include SC Farm Bureau Federation (SCFB), the AITC Fund, SC Beef Board, Farm Credit Associations of SC, SC Farm Bureau Insurance Companies, SC Pork Board, SC Greenhouse Growers Association, SC Nursery & Landscape Association, the Electric Cooperatives of SC, SC Watermelon Association, the Fertilizer Institute, and Berkeley County Farm Bureau.

SCFB’s Ag in the Classroom program offers cost–free grade specific lesson plans, related materials and year–round in–service workshops to SC pre– kindergarten through high school teachers, schools and school districts. For more information or to schedule an in–service workshop, call Ag in the Classroom Director Maria Samot, 1-800-628-4571.